Multiway valve



May 26, 1953 D. H. BIERMAN Er A1.

MULTIWAY VALVE Filed Jan. so', 195o 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTORS. a/yfel HBierman a Josep/7H. .7cm/ett klrt/iwal), .Bierman D. H. BIERMAN ET ALMULTIWAY VALVE 2 Sheets-ShedI 2 Filed Jan. 30, 1950 w .ma M M @V M e w5. n M V iiifiwlfl Mmmm.. wwf @www W 7 M I.|.6| l l I l l l 1 ll .z i??w m x www #n 0\ i 2 m v m. f Q w m m M w www w 2 Patented May 26, 1953MULTIWAY VALVE Daniel H. Bierman, Elmont, Joseph A. Jawett,

Jamaica, and Arthur D. Bierman, Elmont, N. Y., assignors to LiquidepthIndicators Incorporated, Long Island tion City, N. Y., a corpora-Application January 30, 1950, Serial No. 141,274

18 Claims. (C1. 137-269) This invention relates to multi-way valves, andmore particularly to multi-way safety valves for use with liquid-holdingtanks.

It is the primary object of the present invention to make provisions forthe removal of any undesired residual liquid or liquids, such ascondensation water, for instance, from a liquid fuel tank through thelow-hanging air bell therein and a length of its air line which extendsto an indicator that indicates the liquid depth in the tank Aby thehydrostatic pressure of the liquid .at the air bell.

It is another object of the present invention to interpose in the airline of an indicator system of the above type a multi-way valve which isshiftable into positions to provide communication between the air belland the indicator of the system, and between the air bell and a liquidoutlet in the valve, respectively.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-wayvalve for the above purpose which is normally effectively sealed at itsliquid outlet, and which will as effectively seal the indicator of thesystem from the valve when the liquid outlet of the latter is opened forthe removal of residual liquid or liquids from the tank.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-wayvalve of this type with a removable sealing member at its liquid outlet,and to construct the valve so as to make communication therethroughbetween the air bell and indicator of the system dependent upon the firmclosure of the sealing member at the liquid outlet of the valve.

It is another object of the present invention to construct the valve sothat the liquid outlet thereof remains safely closed and communicationthrough the valve between the air bell and indicator of the system willbe interrupted on removal of the sealing member from the valve, and theliquid outlet will be opened only on connecting it with a hose orsimilar conduit through which to draw residual liquid or liquids fromthe tank.

yIt is another object of the present invention to provide a valve ofthis type which is simple and sturdy in construction and highly reliablein operation, and which may readily be disassembled and reassembled forthe inspection, repair or replacement of parts.

-It is yanother object of the present invention to provide a valve ofthis type which lends itself to ready installation in existingindicating systems of the above kind.

It is yet another object of the present invention to enclose the valvein a protective, readily mountable housing, and to provide the latterwith av preferably lockable cover which in its closed position preventsunauthorized manipulation of the valve, and in its open position exposesand provides access only to the sealing member on the valve for itsremoval from the latter and connection of a hose or similar conduit withthe liquid outlet of the valve, and for the removal of the hose from thevalve and replacement of the sealing member on the latter.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more fully vunderstood from the following descriptionconsidered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an enclosed multi-way valve embodyingthe present invention;

Fig. 2 is a front-view of the open enclosure in which the valve ismounted;

Fig. 3 is a viewv similar to Fig. 2, showing an additional part in theopen enclosure behind which the mounted valve is hidden;

Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is afragmentary side elevation of the valve enclosure;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken on the line 6--6 of Fig. 4; and jFigs. '7 and 8 are sections similar to Fig. 6, showing the valve indifferent posit1ons.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to Figs. 2 yand 6thereof, the reference numeral I0 designates a valve which comprises acasing I2 in which is provided a main chamber I4 (Figs. 6 to 8) havingan outlet I6 and being in communication with a port I8. Forced by aspring 20 against a cap screw 22 on the top end of the valve casing I2are members 24 and 26 which are slidably received in the main chamberI4. Member 24 is provided with a bore 36 which, together with theadjacent bottom surface 32 of member 26, forms an auxiliary chamber 28.Both members 24 and 26 are in sealmg engagement with the presentlycylindrical wall 34 of the main chamber I4, preferably throughintermediatwn of packing rings 36 and 38 of rubber or the like inperipheral grooves 40 and 42 in the members 24 and 26, respectively. Thebore 36 in the member 24 is, in the present instance, diametricallyreduced at 46 for the sliding reception of a valve member 48, having ashank 50 whlch projects into the main chamber I4. Valve member 48 isprovided with a duct 52 for providing communication between the main.and auxiliary chambers I4 and 28, respectively, when said valve member48 assumes the position shown in Fig. 6. Valve member 48 `is normallyurged into the `closed position shown in Figs. 7 and 8 by a compressionspring 54 which is preferably seated in acentral recess 56 in the member26.A The duct 52 in the valve member 48 is, in the closed position ofthe latter (Figs: 7 vand 8), effectively sealed from vthe'auxiliarychamber 28 by a packing ring 58 in a peripheral ,groove 59 in saidvalve, memberaa., Slidably received in the preferably cylindricalmachined outlet I6 of the valve casing l2 is a plunger-type valve member60 having an aiiial passage 62 and a plurality of lateral ducts 64 incommunication therewith. The/Asp 2U, which as previously mentionedloearsy I, end against the member 24, bears with lgs l.other end againsta collar 66 on the valve member 68 and forces the latter into the closedposition shown in Fig. 8, in which its passage 62 and ducts 74 areeffectively sealed from the main chamber I4 in the valve casing I2,preferably by a packing ring 68 in a peripheral groove 7l)y in the.Valve member 68.' vvl`he`r'1',i1i yits closed position, the valvemember Sil bears with vits'collar 6,8, against an a Xnular'soulolerv inthe valve'eas'ing I2 Thc lower end of the valve Vcasing I2 is externallythreaded ,at 'ifortheV reception ycf va Icap screw 80 v(Fig. 6), or forthe reception of a con-l ventional union 8,2' on a hose or other circuit84 (Fig. 7) As will appear hereinafter, the instant valve I is normallyclosed at its lower end by the cap screw 88 which, in .the presentinstance, is provided' with an'axially projecting' stem 86 that extendsinto the outlet I6 of the valve casing I2 when the cap screw 8 0 ismounted on the valve casing I2` as shown in f6, The stem 86 of the capscrew 8 0 is in sealing engagement with the outlet I6 of the valvecasing I2, preferably through in'termediatioi'il of packing rings 90 inperipheral grooves`92 insaid stem 8G'.

When securing the cap screw 80 tothe threaded end I8 of the valve casingI2, the stern 86 on said cap screw, and more particularly anannularshoulder 94 thereon, forces the valve member 60 into the position Vshownin Fig. 6 in whichl its top end 98 engages the shank 5I) ofy the valvemember 48 and lifts the latter into theopen position shown in Fig. 6,against the te'ndency'ofl the spring 54 to close valve member '48j Onremoving the cap screw 80 from the threaded end 18 of the valve casingI2', fora purpose hereinafter described, both valve. members 48 and 68will be forcedby their respective springs 54 and 20 into their closedpositions (Fig. 8) `in which valve member 60 projects beyond the valvecasingA I2. As lwill appear hereinafter, the hose is at times connectedwith the threaded end l'ofthe valve casing I2. To this end, the valvemember is, by .the union 82 on thevconnected -hose 84, forced into the.openf position shown in Fig. 7' in which the hose 84 is incommunication with the main chamber- I4 in the valve ycasing I2 throughthe passage 62 and ducts 84 in the valve member 60. Valve member 60 isin itsv open position (Fig. '7), spaced from the shank 5010i valvemember 48 so that the latter remains in its closed position. The springs2U and 54 are so selected that spring 20 will overpower spring 54-.inany positionof the valve member .60, with the result that the members24A and 26 will at all times be held s eeurely againSt the cap. screw22.

The instant .valve Il), While usefuI for many purposes, is used withparticular advantage in a tank-contents measuring system such as thatshown and .described .in the co-pendingapplication .0.f Daniel Bierman,.Serial No.. 23,517. filed. April 27, '194,8- Sush' e. System prennes.inv a lifllidfh'oldingtafnls ,ear the bottom thereof. an an blelrwhichthrough a Suitable ,air uns is. in. communication with an air-pre ureindicator,

4 system, lthe hydrostatic l,pressfur-e of .the liquid at the air bellin 'the tank `is indicated by the level of the mercury column in theindicator tube which is read against a scale the graduations of whichhave preferably been computed in units denoting liquid depth in the tankrather than hydrostatic pressure, thus affording a direct reading `ofthe lliquid contents of the tank at any ltime.V For use'fof the instantvalve I0 in an indicator system of this kind, the former is interposedin the air line of the indicator system. To this end, the port AI3 inthe valve casing I2 is in communication with the air bell in the tankthrough a conduit IG() which forms a part of the air line of theindicator system. To the `same end, the auxiliary chamber 2'8 vin thevalve'casing I2 is in communication with the air-pressure indicator ofthe system throughl a `conduit L02 which con'stitutes'the remainder ofthe air line of the system. Thus, the cap screw is, in IlO- mal'usage ofthe valve I0, secured to the lowerv end of the valve casing I2, vwiththe result that the valve members S8' and 48 assume the resp'c.; tivepositions shown in Fig. 6, 'in whichvalve member 48 is open and providescommunication between the air'bell and air-pressure'indicator of thesystem.

By the provision of the valve member 6.0 and of the threaded end 'I8 yonthe valve cyasingml', the instant valve I0 may alsofbe used to goodadvantage for drawing from4 thetank, with'vvhic'h it is connectedthrough the'conduit 10D, any 'undesired residual liquid or liquids,"suchas cons..

densation water, for instance.V Thus, on yapplying the union'82 of thehose 84 Ato the threaded end 78 of the valve casing I2, valve member 6I)is shifted by the'union 82 into its openpositin (Fig. '7) while the"valve member 48 remains closed, with vthe result that the'auxiliarycham-Y ber 28 and, hence, 'alsothe air-pressure indicator ofthe systemare' sealed from the main chamber I4 in the valve, and the airbell inthe vtank is, through intermediation of the conduit IUI) yand valvemember 60"'in'va1ve I0, in communication with the hose 84 that may beconnected with any suitable pump, for instance. Since the air bell isusually arranged relatively close tothe bottom of the tank, it stands toreason that mostwof the residual liquid in the tank maybe drawntherefromthrough the air bell, conduit IW, valve I0 and connectible'hose84.

'To connect the hose 84 with the instant valve I 0, the .cap screw 80will first have to be removed from the 'valve casing I2, therebypermitting the valve member Gil to be shifted lby the springI 2D intothe projected DOSiton shown in Fig. 8, in which the Same elfectivelyseals the outletr I8A in the valve casing i2 from themain chamber I4therein. Thus, on removal of the cap screw 80 from the valve casing I2,both valve members 68 and 48 are in their closed position. This isparticularly advantageous in the case o f tanks holding inflammableliquids, such as gasoline, for instance,'in that the instant valve'lneither provides access to the interior of the tank or any of the partsin open communication therewith, nor offers an escape passage for liquidfrom the tank, under any conditions, except through the hose 84 whenconnected with the valve v'in the safe manner shown in Fig. 7.'Thusyalve LI0` is particularly safe and fool proof because its mlnk airline |02 of the system under any and all circumstances, there isinterposed in the latter a check-type valve (Fig. 6) which comprises avalve casing I I2 having a chamber I|4 and inlet and outlet ports ||6and II8, respectively. The bottom of the chamber ||4 is preferablyformed irusto-conical to form a seat |20 for a float valve |22 of anysuitable material, such as cork, for instance. Valve member |22 isprovided with a frusto-conical stem |24 which extends through a sealingring |26 at the outlet port II8. The bottom of the valve |22 ispreferably notched at |28 to serve as a passage for air from the inletport ||6 into the chamber ||4 when said valve |22 rests on its seat |20(Fig. 6). If any liquid should ever reach the valve |22, the latter willrise with the liquid into position in which its stem |24 will close theoutlet port I I8 at the sealing ring |26 and prevent the liquid fromiiowing therebeyond to the air-pressure indicator of the system.

The valve I0 is preferably mounted in a housing |30 (Figs. l to 5) whichitself may suitably be mounted on any upright support (not shown) whereit is conveniently accessible. The valve I0 may conveniently be mountedin the housing |30 by screws |32, for instance, and projects with itsthreaded end 18 to the outside of the housing through the bottom wall|34 thereof. In order to prevent misplacexnent of the cap screw 80 whenremoved from the valve casing I2, the former is preferably anchored tothe housing |30 through intermediation of a chain |36 and an anchor post|38, for instance (Fig. 2). The check valve ||0 may also conveniently bemounted in the housing |30. To this end, the valve casing I I2 may beprovided with a threaded shank |40 (see also Fig. 6) which extendsthrough an aperture |42 in the top wall |44 of the housing |30 andreceives a nut |46. The conduit |00 may extend through an opening |41 inthe side wall |48 of the housing |30 (Fig. 5). The housing |30 is openat its front as at |50, and is normally closed thereat by a removablecover plate |52. The cover plate |52 is, in the present instance,channel-shaped and may conveniently be mounted in the housing |30 byscrews |54, for instance. Suitably hinged at |60 on top of the housing|30 is a cover |62 which is open at the top and back thereof as bestshown in Fig. 4. The cover |62 extends in its closed position beneaththe mounted cap screw 80 so as to prevent unauthorized manipulation ofthe same (Fig. 4). To permit closure of the cover |62, the side wall |63of the latter is slotted at |66 (Fig. to clear the conduit |00.Preferably, the cover |62 is normally locked in its closed position by aYale lock |10, for instance, which is applied to a stud |12 that issecurely anchored at |14 on the cover plate |52 and projects through anaperture |16 in the closed cover |62 (Figs. 1 and 4). Thus, only anauthorized person having a key for the lock may open the cover |62 foraccess to the valve Ill.

Referring again to the specic construction of the instant valve l0, withparticular reference to Figs. 6 to 8, inclusive, it will be noted thatvalve I0 is of extremely simple, yet sturdy construction, and mayreadily be disassembled for the inspection, repair or replacement of theparts therein, and may as readily be reasembled without requiring anyspecial skill. Thus, it is merely necessary to remove the cap screw 22from the valve casing I2 for the removal from the latter of all theparts therein. In this connection, it

will be further noted that, on removal of the cap screw 22 from thevalve casing I2, the preloaded lspring 20 will eject from the latter allthe parts therein, with the exception of the valve member 60, and thelatter may readily be removed through the top end of the valve casingI2. The assembly of the parts in the valve casing I2 is equally simple,as will be readily understood.

While we have shown and described the preferred embodiment of ourinvention, it will be understood that various changes may be made in thepresent invention without departing from the underlying idea orprinciples of the invention within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is:

l. A tank contents indicating system comprising an air bell in a ventedliquid tank near the bottom thereof and an air line connecting the airbell with an air pressure indicator outside the tank, a valve in saidair line having an outlet and provisions for releasably mounting aconduit in communication with said outlet, said valve having a membershiitable relative to said outlet into positions in which to yprovidecornmunication between the air bell and indicator and between the airbell and said outlet, respectively, and coupling means formedcomplementary to said mounting provisions, said valve member beingshiftable in response to the cooperative association of said couplingmeans and said valve member.

2. A tank contents indicating system comprising an air bell in a ventedliquid tank near the bottom thereof and an air line connecting the airbell with an air pressure indicator outside the tank, a valve in saidair line, said valve having an outlet and a valve member shiftable intopositions relative to said outlet in which to provide communicationbetween the air bell and indicator, to intercept communication betweenthe air bell, indicator and valve outlet, and to provide communicationbetween the air bell and valve outlet, respectively, and coupling. meansformed complementary to said mounting provisions, said valve memberbeing shiftable in response to the cooperative association of saidcoupling means and said valve member.

3. A multi-Way valve, comprising a valve casing having a chain-ber, andfirst, second and third ports each providing communication between -saidchamber and the outside of said casing, a first valve member in saidcasing normally urged into a iirst position, and shiftable into a secondposition, in which to intercept and provide communication, respectively,between said rst and second ports, a second valve member in said casingnormally urged into a first position in which to intercept communicationbetween said rst and third ports, and lshiftable into other positions ineach of which to provide communication between said iirst and thirdports, said second valve member, when in one of said other positionsthereof, holding said iirst valve member in said second positionthereof, and an element removably mountable on said casing in sealingrelation with said third port, said element, when mounted, holding saidsecond valve memberin said one position thereof.

4. A multi-way valve as set forth in claim 3, in which said element isexternally mountable on said casing and has a portion extending intosaid third port to engage and hold said second valve member in said oneposition thereof.

5. A multi-way valve as set forth in claim 3, in

7. which said element is externally mountable on said casing and has aportion extending into said third port in sealing relation therewith andengaging and holding said second valve member in said one positionthereof.

6. A multi-way valve adapted for releasable connection with a conduitthrough a union element thereon, comprising a valve casing having achamber, first, second and third ports each providing communicationbetween said chamber and the outside of said casing, and provisions forthe releasable attachment to said casing of said union element with theconduit thereof in communica.- tion with said third port, a nrst valvemember in said casing normally urged into a first position, andshiftable into a second position, in which to intercept and providecommunication, respectively, between said first and second ports, asecond Valve member in said casing normally urged into a nrst positionin which to intercept communication between said first and third ports,and shiftable into second and third positions in each of which toprovide communication between said first and third ports, said secondvalve member, when in said third position, holding said first valvemember in said second position thereof, and being shifted into saidsecond position by the union element when attached to said casing.

7. A multi-way valve, comprising a valve casing having a main chamber, aside inlet, and outlets at the opposite ends, respectively, of saidcasing, an element slidable in said main chamber in sealing relationtherewith and forming with one of said casing ends an auxiliary chamberwith which one of said outlets communicates, a normally closed rst valvemember in said element having a shank projecting into said main chamberand being liitable into said auxiliary chamber into open positiontherein in which to provide cornmunication between said chambers, asecond valve member slidable in said casing into a rst position in whichto intercept communication between said inlet and other outlet, and alsoslidable into other positions in each oi which to provide communicationbetween said inlet and other outlet, a compression spring interposed .insaid main chamber between said element and second valve member andurging the latterinto said first position and the former againstl saidone casing end into auxiliary chamber-forming relation therewith, saidsecond valve member, when in one of said other positions thereof,engaging the shanl; of said lirst valve member and holding the latter inits open position, and another element removably mountable on saidcasing in sealing relation with said other outlet thereof, said otherelement, when mounted, holding said second valve member in said oneposition thereof against the tendency of said spring to force it intosaid rst position thereof.

8. A multi-way valve as set forth in cla-im 7, in which said rst Valvemember is normally closed by another compression spring interposed insaid auxiliary chamber between said rst Valve member and adjacent casingend, said other spring being in any position of said first Valve member`weaker than the spring in said main chamber in any position of saidsecond valve member.

9. A multi-way valve as set forth in claim 7, in which said second valvemember is of the sleevetype and slidable in said` other outlet, and saidsecondvalve member projects in said first position thereof to theoutside of said casing and is movable inwardly of said casing into saidother positions thereof.

A multi-Way. faire sci forth claim-'1.

in which. said one end of the casing is open and normally closed by aremovableA cover, and said second valve member projects in `said rstposition thereof through said other outlet to the outside of saidcasing, and said second valve member lis movable inwardly of said casinginto said other positions thereof and is provided with a stop internallyengaging said casing when said second valve member is in said rstpositionY to prevent outward movement of the latter beyond said irstposition,

11. A multi-way. valve. adapted for releasable connection with a conduitthrough a union therein, comprising a valve casing having a mainchamber, a s ide inlet, and outlets at the opposite ends, respectiyely,of said casing, an element slidable in said main chamber in sealingvrelation therewith forming with one of said casing ends an auxiliarychamber with which one of said outlets communicates, a normally closedrst valve member in said element having a shank. projecting into saidmain chamber and being liftable into said auxiliary chamber into openposition therein in which to provide communication between saidchambers, a second sleevetype valve member having a stop and beingslidable in the other of said outlets into a nrjst position in which tointercept communication between said inlet and other outlet and beingalso slidable into other positions in each of which to providecommunication between said inlet and other outlet, said second valvemember, when in said rst position thereof, projecting to the outside ofsaid casing and internally engaging the latter with said stop to preventfurther outward movement of said second valve member, and the latterbeing shiftable inwardly of said casing into said other positionsthereof, a compression spring interposed in said main chamber betweensaid eiernent and second valve member and urging the Alatter into saidrstposition and the former against said one A,casing end into auxiliarychamber-forming relation therewith, said second valve member, when inthe innermost of said other positions thereof, engaging the shank ofsaidlrst valve member and holding thelatter in its open position, saidcasing having provisions for the releasable attachment thereto of theunion with the conduit thereof in communication with said other outlet,andthe attached tintin holding said second valve member in another oneofsaid other positions thereof. Y

l2. A multi-way valve as yset forth in claim ll, in which saidvprovisions comprise external threads on the other casing end throughwhich said other outlet. extends.

1,3. A'rnulti-way valve as set forth in claim ll, in which said firstvalve member is normally closed by another compression spring interposedin said auxiliary chamber between said fir-st valve member and adjacentcasing end, said other spring being in any. position of said rst valvemember weaher than the spring in said main chamber in any position ofsaid second Valve member- 14. A multi-wayy valve adapted for'releasableconnection with a conduit through a union element thereon, comprising avalve casing having a chamber, first, second and third parts eachproviding communication between salad chamber and the outside of saidcasing, and provisions for the releasable attachment to' casing of the-union element with the conduit thereof in commimi cation with saidthird port,Y a rst valve member in, schweine nmmall? urged inte a fSiposition, and shiftabl'e into a second position, in which to interceptand provide communication, respectively, between said rst and secondports, a second valve member in said casing normally urged into a firstposition in which to intercept communication between said first andthird ports, and shiftable into second and third positions in each ofwhich to provide communication between said first and third ports, saidsecond valve member, when in said third position, holding said firstvalve member in said second position thereof, and being shifted intosaid second position by the union element when attached to said casing,a housing in which said valve casing is mounted with said attachmentprovision thereof exposed on the outside of said housing, and a covercarried by said housing for movement thereon intol open and closedpositions in which to expose and cover, respectively, said attachmentprovision and said union element, said housing being provided withapertures through which to pass conduits to said first and second ports.

15. A multi-way valve, comprising a valve casing having a chamber, andrst, second and third ports leach providing communication between saidchamber and the outside of said casing, a first valve member in saidcasing normally urged into a rst position, and shiftable into a secondposition, in which to intercept and provide communication, respectively,between said first and second ports, a second valve member in saidcasing normally urged into a rst position in which to interceptcommunication between said first and third ports, and shiitable intoother positions in each of which to provide communication between saidrst and third ports, and said second valve member, when in one of saidother positions thereof, holding said rst valve member in said secondposition thereof, and means for shifting said second valve member intosaid other positions.

16. A multi-way valve, comprising a valve casing having a chamber, rst,second, and third ports each providing communication between saidchamber and the outside of said casing, an element associated with saidthind port, and provisions for the releasable attachment to said thirdport of said casing of said element, a first valve member in said casingnormally urged into a first position, and shiftable into a secondposition, in which to intercept and provide communication, respectively,between said irst and second ports, a second valve member in said casingnormally urged into a first position in which to intercept communicationbetween said first and third ports, and shiftable into second and thirdpositions in each of which to provide communication between said first:and third ports, and said second valve member, when in said thirdposition, holding said nrst valve member in said second positionthereof, said element being cooperatively associated with said secondvalve member for shifting the latter.

17. A multi-way valve, comprising a valve casing having a main chamber,a side inlet, and outlets at the opposite ends, respectively, of saidcasing, an element slidable in said main chamber in Sealing relationtherewith and forming with one of said ycasing ends an auxiliary chamberwith which one of said outlets communicates, a normally closed firstvalve member in said element having a shank projecting into said mainchamber and being liftable into said auxiliary chamber into openposition therein in which toprovide communication lbetween saidchambers,

a second valve member slidable in said casing into a rst 4position inwhich to intercept communication between said inlet and other outlet,and also slidable into other positions in each of which to providecommunication between said inlet and other outlet, a compression springinterposed in said main chamber between said element and second valvemember and urging the latter into said rst position and the formeragainst said one casing end into auxiliary chamber-forming relationtherewith, said second valve member, when in one of said other positionsthereof, engaging the shank of said rst valve member and holding thelatter in its open position, and another element removably mounted onsaid other outlet of said casing, said last mentioned element havingmeans for -sliding said second valve member into said other positionsthereof.

18. A multi-way valve adapted for releasable connection with an element,comprising a valve casing having a main chamber, a side inlet, andoutlets at the opposite ends, respectively, of said casing, anotherelement slidable in said main chamber in sealing relation therewith andforming with one of said casing ends an auxiliary chamber with which oneof said outlets communicates, a normally closed first valve member insaid another element having a shank projecting into said main chamberand being liftable into said auxiliary chamber into open positiontherein in which to provide communication between said chambers, asecond sleeve-type valve member having :a stop and being slidable in theother of said outlets into a first position in which to interceptcommunication between said inlet and other outlet and being alsoslidable into other positions in each of which to provide communicationbetween said inlet and other outlet, said second valve member, when insaid i'h'st position thereof, projecting to the outside of said` casingand internally engaging the latter with said stop to prevent furtheroutward movement of said second valve member, and the latter beingshiftable inwardly of said casing into said other positions thereof, acompression spring interposed in said main chamber between said anotherelement :and second valve member and urging the latter into said firstposition and the former against said one casing enid into auxiliarychamber-forming relation therewith, said second valve member, when inthe innermost of said other positions thereof, engaging the shank ofsaid first valve member and holding the latter in its open position,said casing having provisions for the releasable attachment thereto ofsaid element, and said element having means adapted to cooperate withsaid second valve member for shifting the latter.

DANIEL I-I. BIERMAN. JOSEPH A. JAWETT. ARTHUR D. BIERMAN.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 941,760 Cordley Nov. 30, 1909 998,843 Dunn July 25, 19111,475,252 Swanjord Nov. 27, 1923 1,535,084, Cunningham May 18, 1926.1,834,033 Michelin Dec. 1, 1931 2,179,750 McCracken Nov. 14, 19392,333,060 Turner Oct. 26, 1943 2,501,706 Bent Mar. 28, 1950

